It began about 11 a.m. when players started filing through the terminal gates at the Calgary International Airport.

Starting with Sidney Crosby, who was bombarded by eager fans with Sharpies and No. 87 sweaters, and ending with a very tired Carey Price, who had just gotten married less than 24 hours earlier, 46 of Canada’s best hockey players arrived on scene Sunday for Hockey Canada’s Olympic orientation camp.

The public was buzzing — and they weren’t the only ones.

“It’s sometimes surreal to be here,” agreed Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, one of the youngest of the group. “Especially when you’re so young still and in this situation. It’s pretty cool.

“For me, I’ve met most of the guys here and had a chance to play with them or skate with them. I think the star-struckness is gone, but it’s still exciting to see all those guys and be around them and pick their brains a little bit.

“I think it’s going to be a fun couple days.”

The fun is all new to Stamkos, who was 19 at the time of the 2010 Olympic camp and in his second year in the National Hockey League.

But, to an old pro like Rick Nash, he’s used to the drill.

“It’s fun,” said the 29-year-old New York Rangers forward, attending his third gathering of Hockey Canada’s Olympic team hopefuls. “It’s an honour for me to be here to take part with all these great players. I’ve been lucky enough to play in two already (2006, 2010).

“This is kind of just all gravy now.”

That being said, whether you are a third-timer, a 2010 Olympic gold-medallist, or one of 1991-born players on the roster, the 2014 orientation camp is going to be a new process to everybody.

With no on-ice component over the next three days, Hockey Canada brass and coaching staff will be going over video, walk-through practices, information, travel plans, and everything else associated with their journey to Sochi, Russia.

Sunday, basically, was like the first day of school.

“When you’re hanging out together, it’s just like being with the guys and having a good time and getting to know one another,” said New York Islanders centreman John Tavares, who, like Stamkos, is participating in his first (official) Olympic audition. “Obviously, knowing it could be something special starting here this week.

“That’s mostly what you’re looking forward to and where your mindset is at.”

Because, as they know, the pressure to defend their 2010 gold medal begins now.

Yes, even though the 2013/14 NHL season hasn’t started and the 2014 Olympics are months away. Not to mention Canada’s first game isn’t until Feb. 13 versus Norway at noon ET/10 a.m. MT.

“I mean, I think that’s something we’ve grown used to,” said Crosby at Hockey Canada headquarters at Calgary’s WinSport facilities. “Whether it be from prior Hockey Canada experience or directly with 2010, a lot of the guys were playing on the team here in Canada. Hosting it, that’s the most pressure I think I’ve ever felt. Having gone through that will help us but that’s why we love the game.

“The passion everyone has and part of the pressure that comes with that. I think that’s something we’re all used to.”

Despite having practised and participated in an intrasquad game at the Scotiabank Saddledome in the summer of 2009, ice time isn’t in the cards this year as Hockey Canada decided against footing an insurance bill that would cost them over $1-million.

Still, the entire group believes plenty of work will be done during their time in Calgary.

“No one is treating this lightly,” said Kevin Lowe, part of the managing group under executive director Steve Yzerman. “There is a lot that can be accomplished. Just to (be clear), some of these players have never met one another. We’re going to ask them to go to Sochi walk into a dressing room, shake hands, and try to go out and literally fight. Try to win a championship for their country in hostile territory, where the Russians are trying to do the same thing. “You can never underestimate camaraderie, relationships . . . It’s unfortunate we can’t go on the ice, but we’ll accomplish a lot here.”

To head coach Mike Babcock, he said it’s about three things:

* Relationships — “That just doesn’t mean the players. It means the coaching staff. It means the management team. It means the therapy people. It means the equipment people. That’s a priority.”

* Details — “Spacing on the ice, where you’re supposed to be, so you can find your game within the game that we have, but understand the terminology and what’s going on so you can play the game fast.”

And:

* Accepting the responsibility of putting a red and white jersey over your head.

“Being an Olympian to me is much bigger than just being part of a regular hockey team,” said Babcock, who coached the 2010 group. “You’re part of a bigger team — the Canadian team. That’s not just the Canadian hockey team, that’s the Canadian Olympic team. I think it’s a special, special thing. When you get special opportunities, your preparation should be the same.

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